Democrats stop McConnell's attempt to pass $250 billion for small businesses

Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's attempt to pass an additional $250 billion in small business coronavirus stimulus, saying such legislation should also include billions more for hospitals and state and local governments and fails to address the immediate needs of small businesses. 

Democrats blocked the proposed legislation in the GOP-controlled chamber by objecting to McConnell's attempt to pass it on a voice vote or unanimous consent – which do not require senators to return to Capitol Hill for a recorded floor vote. 

"I'm afraid that this unanimous consent is basically a political stunt because it will not address the immediate need of small businesses in the legislation that we have passed," Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said on the Senate floor. 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer have proposed an alternate $500 billion proposal that would include the $250 billion for small businesses as well as increased funding for food stamps, state governments and hospitals.

Republicans wanted to pass legislation as quickly as possible to expand the Paycheck Protection Program, created in the previous stimulus package and is running out of money. 

The small-business program gives certain companies, which have up to 500 employees or more in some industries, loans to cover payroll and overhead. The loans will be forgiven if they don’t lay off workers.

The Senate adjourned until Monday after Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) objected to holding a unanimous voice vote.

Cardin argued that there are other programs in the previously passed CARES Act that are running out of money, while the funding for the Paycheck Protection Program has not been completely spent yet.

"The emergency disaster relief program, which provides funds for businesses and we allow businesses that have been affected by the coronavirus to file those claims, that has run out of money," he said.

McConnell said the measure would amend the $2.2 trillion CARES Act by raising the Paycheck Protection Program funding to $600 billion for small businesses.

He also asked Democrats to pass the "clean" legislation without anything else attached. 

"Please do not block emergency aid you do not even oppose just because you want something more," the Kentucky Republican said. “Nobody thinks this will be the Senate’s last word on COVID-19. We don’t have to do everything right now. In fact, our posture of needing unanimous consent does not even permit us to try to do everything right now."

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) also gave a floor speech in opposition to McConnell's attempt.

"We didn't have to come in at all if not for the decision to try to ram this through," he said. "We knew this wasn't going to get through so I see people are frustrated and want to leave but let's get it done and let's get it done right and let's have another 96 to nothing vote."